When does a California layoff require Cal-WARN notice?
September 26, 2026
At a site with 75 or more employees, laying off 50 in 30 days, closing or moving 100 miles takes 60 days' notice. Since 2026 the notice must say more.
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California Compliance
California writes more employment law than any other state, and most of it lands on companies too small to have a legal department. These articles explain what the rules require, where they go quiet, and when it is time to call an employment attorney.
Are noncompete agreements enforceable in California?
September 26, 2026
No, with narrow exceptions, and since 2024 it is unlawful to even include one. Since 2026, most stay-or-pay repayment clauses are banned too.
What should a California termination include, and when is severance worth signing?
September 26, 2026
At-will does not mean undocumented. What employers need on termination day, and what employees should check before signing a severance agreement.
How do CFRA, pregnancy disability leave and paid sick leave fit together in California?
September 26, 2026
Paid sick leave starts at one employee. At five, add up to four months of pregnancy disability leave and 12 weeks of CFRA, and the two can stack.
What are California’s meal and rest break rules, and how does PAGA raise the stakes?
September 26, 2026
A 30-minute meal before the end of the fifth hour, 10-minute rest breaks by the four-hour block, and a premium hour for each miss. PAGA turns misses into penalties.
When is a final paycheck due in California, and what does a late one cost?
September 26, 2026
Fired employees are paid on the spot; quits get 72 hours or the last day. Miss it and the day's wages keep running for up to 30 days.
What does a California employer have to do on the I-9, and where does HR stop?
September 24, 2026
Every hire needs a Form I-9, and California adds its own notice and document rules on top. Here is the HR side of work authorization, and where it hands off to an…
How much does fractional HR cost for a Bay Area startup or nonprofit?
September 22, 2026
Fractional HR usually runs $5,000 to $10,000 a month in the Bay Area, well under a full-time HR manager. Here is the math and when each option fits.
Who can deliver California harassment prevention training for a small employer?
September 22, 2026
California requires harassment training at 5 employees. A qualified trainer, interactive e-learning or the state's free course can meet it. How to choose.
What does a California HR compliance check-up cover for a 10-to-50-person company?
September 22, 2026
A check-up reviews classification, pay, postings, leave, training, safety plans and files against the rules at your headcount, then ranks the fixes.
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